Kesa, I advise you to :
1. not consider Homeopathy yet.
2. find the most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for your pain, e.g.,VOLTAROL,NAPROXEN...the response is different for each patient (as Dr Hahnemann might have predicted).
I prefer Rofecoxib (VIOXX) because it has no adverse effects on the stomach/intestine - all the other anti-inflammatories do, with long-term use. Take the maximum dose of the chosen anti-inflammatory, but never take it on an empty stomach. (NAPROXEN was my favourite until it, eventually, gave me duodenal ulcers.)
3. If you have a sleeping problem, take Amitriptyline for sleep - start at 10mg, go up to 75mg (if need be), 1-2 hours before bedtime.
4. SECONDARIES: limit your fluid intake (only drink when you are thirsty) - anti-inflammatories tend to cause fluid retention (oedema) and this will cause a constant stinging pain in your affected parts - hips/legs. Also, the muscles become stiff and hard (myoedema). Immediately, on seeing & palpating my legs, a Chinese doctor diagnosed oedema/fibrosis.
5. Prevent muscle deterioration with the right exercise/physiotherapy. Later, it can become very difficult to reverse muscle contractures/fibrosis which develop.
Your back will gradually improve with time and the right mobility - it may take a long time - while at the same time, the secondary problems will gradually develop. The physiotherapy did not appear to help early on, but it is important in preventing these secondary problems.
6.My prob was at L5/S1, and taking a warm bath daily (with gently stretch and massage of the muscles) was important. Perhaps you have a problem with getting in/out of the bath. But, if you can do it daily, spend only about 10 minutes in the bath, and dry yourself quickly afterwards, to avoid oedema problem (above). Try to walk around for a while after the bath.
7. As you mention, no sudden movements, but keep as active as possible without aggravating the pain.
Yes, you lose all gains made with the wrong movement...mine was more a sitting problem, but getting into the habit of lying in bed too much was the very worst thing to do.
8. I don't recommend paracetamol or codeine, (or a combination) because, though they reduce the pain signal to the brain, your movements may be causing more tissue damage/inflammation (which you will have to pay for later).
Your back should recover on its own, just be patient. If no improvement, or worsening of back symptoms (not secondaries) by August, consider spinal surgery - microsurgery by a neurosurgeon.

"I can sit, lie down but walking or standing can be agony, so much so that I start to sweat, turn white as a ghost and have to breath deeply to control the pain if I'm in a line of people for instance at a checkout".

I remember the sweating & turning white as a ghost, too...others would keep telling me about it. But, ignore it, and try to keep as active as possible.
When I had that problem, it was so persistent I became convinced that it would last for ever, but I was wrong (thankfully).

Tim K

[ 10. February 2003, 17:54: Message edited by: Timokay ]